Thank you for your interest in applying for funding from the Peter Gilgan Foundation. The Application Guidelines below will help you prepare and complete your submission successfully.
ELIGIBILITY
We welcome grant applications from Indigenous-led organizations that are:
- Registered charities
- Qualified donees
- Nonprofit organizations delivering charitable initiatives
We do not fund:
- Capital campaigns or infrastructure expenses
- Emergency relief
- Endowments
- Fundraising drives or event sponsorships
- Government services
- Individuals
- Scholarships or bursaries
- Singular events not connected to ongoing programs or services
Ineligible applicants include:
- Non-Indigenous-led organizations or partnerships
- Entities with annual revenues/operating budgets over $5 million
- For-profit businesses and enterprises (including corporations and social enterprises)
GRANT TYPES
Funding is available as both project grants and general operating grants. Project grants fund specific programs or activities while general operating grant funds can cover any costs of running the organization and fulfilling the charitable mission.
Registered charities and qualified donees are welcome to apply for either type of grant depending on what would best suit the needs of the organization. Nonprofit organizations are only eligible to apply for project grant funding at this time.
FUNDING
To allocate our limited funds for the greatest possible impact, we prioritize groups with annual revenues below $1 million and cap eligibility at $5 million. This ensures our granting reaches grassroots, community-driven initiatives while still being accessible to established Indigenous organizations rooted in community.
Applicants may request up to 10% of their organization’s annual revenue, to a maximum of:
- $50,000 for registered charities and qualified donees
- $25,000 for nonprofit organizations
All Indigenous Youth grants are single-year commitments, so we encourage applicants to focus their proposal on efforts that can deliver meaningful outcomes or impact within that timeframe.
This funding is best suited to:
- Filling a specific gap in your program, services, or budget
- Helping pilot or prove a new concept
- Supporting an expansion or stretch initiative that builds on your existing strengths
Due to our commitment to reaching a broad network of communities, we’re not able to fund long-term operational or sustained programming needs at this time. Instead, we aim to play a catalytic, time-bound role—helping organizations move an idea forward or meet a moment of opportunity.
PROCESS
The Indigenous Youth grant program uses a single-round application process. Here are the steps for submission:
- Create an account on our application portal *linked*
- Complete the two-page form, which includes a variety of short, medium, and long answer questions (draft answers can be saved and returned to at any time)
- Attach requested financial documents
- Consider sharing additional supporting materials
- Once all required tasks are complete, select “submit”
Each part of the application—the two-page form, financial documents, and supporting materials—includes task instructions at the top with additional guidance or information.
TIMELINES
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline, so you can submit any time. Submissions are reviewed every other month, and applicants are typically notified of outcomes within approximately 8 to 12 weeks. If your proposal is unsuccessful, please wait 12 months before reapplying.
CONSIDERATIONS
We’re most excited by proposals that are realistic and right-sized—not trying to do everything but doing what’s proposed, well.
What gives us pause is sole-source funding. We’re not looking to be the only donor—shared investment reduces risk and strengthens accountability.
While we aim to meet approved requests in full, our annual budget may limit what we can award. When this happens, we provide a reduced grant if we are confident it will still help advance your work and support meaningful outcomes.
Finally, please know that it’s possible to submit a strong application and still not receive funding. Decisions must consider many factors—especially budget limitations and portfolio balance. This is not a reflection of the value of your work. We receive far more requests than we can support, which means making difficult choices and, unfortunately, leaving some important initiatives unfunded
Indigenous Youth Grant Program
Thank you for your interest in applying for funding from the Peter Gilgan Foundation. The Application Guidelines below will help you prepare and complete your submission successfully.
ELIGIBILITY
We welcome grant applications from Indigenous-led organizations that are:
- Registered charities
- Qualified donees
- Nonprofit organizations delivering charitable initiatives
We do not fund:
- Capital campaigns or infrastructure expenses
- Emergency relief
- Endowments
- Fundraising drives or event sponsorships
- Government services
- Individuals
- Scholarships or bursaries
- Singular events not connected to ongoing programs or services
Ineligible applicants include:
- Non-Indigenous-led organizations or partnerships
- Entities with annual revenues/operating budgets over $5 million
- For-profit businesses and enterprises (including corporations and social enterprises)
GRANT TYPES
Funding is available as both project grants and general operating grants. Project grants fund specific programs or activities while general operating grant funds can cover any costs of running the organization and fulfilling the charitable mission.
Registered charities and qualified donees are welcome to apply for either type of grant depending on what would best suit the needs of the organization. Nonprofit organizations are only eligible to apply for project grant funding at this time.
FUNDING
To allocate our limited funds for the greatest possible impact, we prioritize groups with annual revenues below $1 million and cap eligibility at $5 million. This ensures our granting reaches grassroots, community-driven initiatives while still being accessible to established Indigenous organizations rooted in community.
Applicants may request up to 10% of their organization’s annual revenue, to a maximum of:
- $50,000 for registered charities and qualified donees
- $25,000 for nonprofit organizations
All Indigenous Youth grants are single-year commitments, so we encourage applicants to focus their proposal on efforts that can deliver meaningful outcomes or impact within that timeframe.
This funding is best suited to:
- Filling a specific gap in your program, services, or budget
- Helping pilot or prove a new concept
- Supporting an expansion or stretch initiative that builds on your existing strengths
Due to our commitment to reaching a broad network of communities, we’re not able to fund long-term operational or sustained programming needs at this time. Instead, we aim to play a catalytic, time-bound role—helping organizations move an idea forward or meet a moment of opportunity.
PROCESS
The Indigenous Youth grant program uses a single-round application process. Here are the steps for submission:
- Create an account on our application portal *linked*
- Complete the two-page form, which includes a variety of short, medium, and long answer questions (draft answers can be saved and returned to at any time)
- Attach requested financial documents
- Consider sharing additional supporting materials
- Once all required tasks are complete, select “submit”
Each part of the application—the two-page form, financial documents, and supporting materials—includes task instructions at the top with additional guidance or information.
TIMELINES
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline, so you can submit any time. Submissions are reviewed every other month, and applicants are typically notified of outcomes within approximately 8 to 12 weeks. If your proposal is unsuccessful, please wait 12 months before reapplying.
CONSIDERATIONS
We’re most excited by proposals that are realistic and right-sized—not trying to do everything but doing what’s proposed, well.
What gives us pause is sole-source funding. We’re not looking to be the only donor—shared investment reduces risk and strengthens accountability.
While we aim to meet approved requests in full, our annual budget may limit what we can award. When this happens, we provide a reduced grant if we are confident it will still help advance your work and support meaningful outcomes.
Finally, please know that it’s possible to submit a strong application and still not receive funding. Decisions must consider many factors—especially budget limitations and portfolio balance. This is not a reflection of the value of your work. We receive far more requests than we can support, which means making difficult choices and, unfortunately, leaving some important initiatives unfunded